The New York Jets found another way to lose on Sunday, falling to the Indianapolis Colts 28-27 in Week 11.
This time, the MetLife Stadium faithful were treated to a masterclass in miscommunication and losing a winnable game.
Early in the fourth quarter, quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit tight end Kenny Yeboah for his first career receiving touchdown. The score put New York up seven before the decision to kick an extra point.
Instead of going for two and going up nine points – and thus, two possessions – the Jets played it safe, kicked the extra point, and made it an eight-point contest.
Initially, things worked out in the Jets' favor. Indianapolis eventually scored and did not convert the two-point conversion.
However, New York's offense didn't finish the job. A fourth-and-two ended in a successful field goal attempt, setting the Colts up with just under three minutes to erase a five-point deficit.
Quarterback Anthony Richardson, in his return from the bench, delivered, marching down the field in six plays and winning the game with a four-yard rush. The touchdown gave Indianapolis a lead – without the need to convert the extra point thanks to the Jets' prior decision.
New York, having sacrificed a point earlier with its decision to kick, lost by a single tally.
"The reason I was thinking is because we had a conversation on the sideline and I was under the impression the decision was before the drive, we were going for two," Rodgers said. "And something changed in the meantime so the hardest part … is to get everybody back. So I just assumed two, and looked over … got a little confused."
It's possible the miscommunication is being overblown. If New York converted the two-point conversion, the Colts would have kicked an extra point rather than trying (and failing) to go for two. Maybe it would have been botched, or blocked, or some other miracle would have broken in the Jets' favor, but that's awfully hard to count on.
Instead, the change of plans exists solely as a symptom of the overall dysfunction the Jets can't seem to escape. Between Rodgers trying to do too much and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich being spread too thin, New York isn't well-coached or quarterback.
Thus, it's no surprise the Jets are 3-8; it's just impressive the losses continue to come in new ways.
